Andy Burnham in new ‘secret plot’ to switch Keir Starmer as PM | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Andy Burnham has reportedly achieved a secret deal to run as an MP in May as he ramps up his plot to oust Keir Starmer. The Manchester mayor has seemingly stepped up his plans for a bombshell comeback as Sir Keir continues to fare disastrously as Prime Minister.

It is believed that shamed MP Andrew Gwynne will announce he’s standing down from his seat of Gorton and Denton in March to make manner for him. Insiders say Labour insurgent Jim McMahon has instructed colleagues a deal is “sewn up”.

Gwynne now sits as an Independent MP after being sacked when he reportedly “joked” on WhatsApp that he hoped a pensioner constituent died earlier than the following election.

Mr Burnham will then contest the seat in a by-election on May 7, native election day, in response to the Sun on Sunday.

Mr McMahon outlined the small print to about half a dozen Labour MPs within the House of Commons tearoom.

A Labour supply mentioned: “He was boasting in the tearoom saying that a deal has all been sewn up.

“Gwynne is stepping down in March and Andy will run in May.

“After months of talk it looks like they are on.”

Mr McMahon was Angela Rayner’s quantity two within the Housing Department.

A former Starmer loyalist, he grew to become a critic after being sacked in a reshuffle final 12 months.

He is among the “Manchester Mafia” whose plot to put in Mr Burnham as PM is dubbed the “Etihad Coup” after Man City’s stadium.

The Burnham plot might be a nightmare for Sir Keir, whose ballot scores have plummeted for the reason that election.

He is now essentially the most unpopular Prime Minister ever.

It raises the stakes on his “reset” — and makes the possibilities of a management problem this 12 months extra seemingly.

Mr Burnham declined to remark. Mr Gwynne mentioned: “I won’t be announcing any such thing in March.”

Mr McMahon didn’t reply to requests for remark.